Articles tagged with Alcoholism
A study discovered a link between lower platelet adenylyl cyclase activity and increased risk of alcoholism. Recent alcohol consumption was found to be a confounding variable, and other factors such as major depression and hyperlipidemia were also associated with low AC activity.
University of Wisconsin researchers discover that environmental cues associated with drug use can produce profound molecular changes in brain circuits linked to learning and decision-making. The study suggests that long-term changes may persist in critical areas, particularly in people who self-administered drugs for long periods of time.
Researchers discovered a sub-group of alcoholics who self-medicate low serotonin levels with carbohydrates when not drinking. Carbohydrates increase serotonin levels, similar to alcohol, and this study provides insight into treating alcoholics with disturbed serotonergic function.
Research confirms association between African-American ethnicity, long-term alcohol dependence, and increased risk for infectious diseases. African-American alcoholics show greatest decline in natural-killer cell activity, indicating compromised immune system.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that beta-endorphin levels are heritable and can predict an individual's risk of developing alcoholism. The research suggests that the hormone may be used as a biomarker to identify specific individuals at high genetic risk.
A recent study found that nicotine increases alcohol consumption and may require simultaneous treatment for addiction. Nicotine activates the brain's nicotinic receptors, leading to dopamine release, similar to alcohol consumption.
According to a NIH/NIAAA study, approximately 28.6% of U.S. children are exposed to familial alcohol dependence or abuse before age 18. Children of alcoholics face increased risk of psychopathology and medical problems, including an increased risk for developing alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
Researchers in Taiwan discovered a rare individual with two copies of the genetic mutation that protects against alcoholism. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that individuals with this mutation are immune to developing alcohol disorders.
A recent study found that younger people are both drinking and developing alcohol problems at an earlier age. Those who develop alcoholism early in life have greater social and legal problems. The study also showed a strong association between early use of substances and later-in-life alcohol-use disorders, depression, and multiple hea...
Researchers found that chronic alcohol abuse in late adulthood damages Purkinje neurons by reducing message traffic between neurons, but the damage is mostly reversible. The study also suggests a connection between alcohol-induced brain changes and abnormal movements seen in alcoholics, such as unsteady gait and tremors.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis reveals a clear tendency among college students to become addicted to more than one common substance or activity, with exercise yielding the highest level of addiction and strong connections between certain activities and self-esteem. The study found large correlations within and betw...
Researchers found that alcohol sensitizes dopamine and serotonin neurons, leading to excitotoxicity and neuronal damage. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may protect against this excitotoxicity, suggesting a potential treatment for alcoholics undergoing withdrawal.
A recent study found that the majority of Americans with alcoholism do not receive treatment, highlighting a significant gap in care. The research identified distinct characteristics among those who did receive treatment, suggesting that treatment options may need to be tailored to address specific needs.
Heavy drinking depletes dopamine, gamma aminobutyric acid, opioid peptides and serotonin systems, while promoting stress chemicals like corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). This imbalance leaves alcoholics vulnerable to relapse after stopping drinking.
A symposium on treating drug addiction will feature four new studies on the chemistry of addictions, including an antibody-based drug to prevent PCP abuse and a non-addictive medication for cocaine addicts. The research aims to understand the brain chemistry behind addiction and develop effective treatments.
Researchers investigate ways to prevent brain cell death, explore the role of vitamin C in stress reduction, and develop new fibers with antimicrobial properties. The study also sheds light on children's exposure to environmental contaminants and potential indicators for future health problems.
The UCSF Family Alcoholism Study aims to investigate the links between behavior, personality characteristics, and biological factors associated with alcoholism. The nationwide project enrolls heavy drinkers and recovering addicts with a family member participating, using telephone interviews, personality tests, and genetic analysis.
Researchers discovered that children of alcoholics have lower natural opioid activity in the brain, making them more susceptible to addiction. This difference may alter the brain's reward pathway and response to stress, increasing vulnerability to alcoholism.
The Institute for Coffee Studies will investigate the effects of coffee on the brain, depression, and alcohol dependency. Researchers aim to identify potential medicinal compounds in coffee that could benefit human health, with a focus on chlorogenic acids and their impact on neurotransmitter systems.
The National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse has awarded a $7 million grant to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to study the causes of alcohol addiction. The studies will provide insights into brain processes that lead to alcoholism, with a focus on understanding the fundamental actions of alcohol on the brain.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has identified a critical role for the D2 dopamine receptor in determining an individual's likelihood of developing alcoholism. Mice bred without this receptor showed reduced drinking behavior and aversion to alcohol, suggesting potential targets for treating addiction.
African-American crack addicts often had traumatic childhoods marked by physical and sexual abuse, leading to unstable adult lives. The study's findings suggest that these individuals may gravitate towards drug dealing as a means of support due to unemployment and unstable employment.
A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that St. John's Wort can cut alcohol consumption in laboratory animals by up to 50 percent. The herb's active ingredient, hypericin, may prove effective in the fight against alcoholism without causing side effects.
Researchers at UF have developed a new approach to treating nicotine addiction using antidepressants, targeting long-lasting changes in brain chemistry. The treatment combines nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to help smokers overcome addiction.
A twin study found that genetic factors play a significant role in determining alcohol dependence risk in women, contradicting the long-held assumption that environment influences alcoholism more in women. Women with an alcoholic identical twin sister are six times more likely to be alcohol dependent.
Young people who started drinking before age 15 were four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who began at age 21. The risk of alcohol abuse was also significantly higher among early drinkers.
The study found that fraternity leaders reported the highest rates of binge drinking and adverse consequences, including hangovers, arguments, and blackouts. Greek leaders also tend to view alcohol as a facilitator for social interaction and sexuality, contrary to expected moderate views.
Scientists found that 65% of alcoholics preferred sweetest solution compared to 16% of non-alcoholics, linking liking sweets to increased propensity for alcohol consumption. Researchers hope to develop a predictive test using the sweet test to screen youngsters at risk of developing alcoholism.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Project MATCH trial found one confirmed match between low psychiatric severity patients and 12-step facilitation therapy, showing improved abstinent days and decreased drinks per day